Metal wheel.



T. GLARKSON & W.,J. MORISON.

v METAL WHEEL.

. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1913. 1 1 07,263, Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

T. GLARKSON & W. J. MORISON.

METAL WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1913.

1,107,263, Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W/ Win55.

gglfify- UNITED srrAriils PATENT orrien.

THOMAS GLARKSON AND WILLIAM JOHN MOBISON, OF CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND,

ASSIGNORS TO THE NATIONAL STEAM CAB. COMPANY LIMITED, OF LONDON,

ENGLAND.

METAL WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Application filed January 25,- 1913. Serial No. 744,228.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, THOMAS GLAZRKSON andWILLIAM JOHN MORISON, subjects of the King of England, and both residingat Chelmsford, Essex, England, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in 1 Metal Wheels, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of metal wheels for roadvehicles, particularly those of the. heavier type and has for its objectto provide a wheel of light construction, which can be made entirely offorged metal.

According to this invention the inner ends of tubular spoke members arebuttwelded to flat radial surfaces or bosses formed on .a forged hub,the tubes being preferably subjected to pressure during the weldingprocess. The outer ends of the spokes are provided with integral curvedflanges or separate flanged members may be butt-welded to the outer endsof the tubes preferably so as to make a flush joint therewith. Theflanges of the star wheel thus formed are then machined so as to bringall the spokes to equal length prior to the rim,

which comprises one or more annular members, being shrunk on and in somecases additionally secured by rivets orthe like passing through thecurved flanges on the spoke members. The bosses on the hub arepreferably drilled and so made tubular, the other parts of the hub beingalso machined so as to accommodate the bearings and lighten theconstruction. The rim, conveniently. comprises two rings of L section,the outer surface of which is turned up after attachment to the spokesand the flanges then having tire-retaining flanges connected thereto byrivets or the like. It is preferred to employ electric welding whichenables the butt joint between the spokes and the hub, and between thespokes and the flanges to be satisfactorily obtained under pressure.

In the wheel above described no cast metal whatever need be em loyed.All the material of the wheel can e forged of the highest grade ofsteel, so that not only is the weight of the wheel materially reduced,but its strength is appreciably increased.

in the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectionthrough the hub, spoke and rim of one form of wheel in accordance withthis invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, showingthe hub, a port-ion of the rim and its supporting spokes. Fig. 3 is aside elevation, on a reduced scale, of the star wheel prior to theattachment of the rim. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation through theouter end of a spoke having a curved flange integral therewith, andFigs. 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views sho'wing alternative formsof mm.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the wheel comprises a forgedsteel hub A, having radial bosses A corresponding in number to thespokes the wheel is to have. These bosses are drilled and so formedtubular, as shown, and liave their ends machined, the other portions ofthe hub being machined to accommodate the wheel bearings, brake drum,axle and the like and a ring such as' A being shrunk on one or bothsides of the hub to which is subsequently secured by the axle. After thehub has been machined in the manner above described, tubular spokemembers B of solid drawn steel. tube are welded to the bosses A, theends of the tubes being first machined and the tubes being convenientlysubjected to pressure during the welding process. To the outer ends ofthe tubular spoke members B are buttwelded flanged members C, havingcurved lateral flanges G, the outer ends of the tubes, which are alsomachined being preferably welded to the flanges before the inner ends ofthe tubes are welded to the hub when they form therewith a star wheel asshown in Fig. 3. When the tubes and flanges are thus welded'in place theouter surfaces of the flanges C can be machined so as to make all thespokes of equal length prior to the attachment of the rim. In thepresent case the rim comprises two annular members I) of IL sectionprovided with lateral flanges D which are shrunk on to the star wheeland additionally secured to the curved flanges C by rivets D or the likepassed through the latter. After attachment the rim may be turnedup andhave its flanges machined and drilled to receive tire-retaining flanges(not shown in the drawingsfwhich may be secured by bolts or rivets.

In the alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 4:, the flanged members G,0, do not exist as separate parts, the outer ends of, the

belts or rivets the cap or cover for tubes B being formed with integralcurved flanges B. The rim D is secured in the same way as in theconstruction already de scribed or the rivets may be omitted as shown.

In Fig. 5 a modified form of rim is shown capable of being applied tospokes with integral flanges or with curved flanges welded thereon as inthe construction shown in Fig. 1. In this case the rim comprises asingle annular member E having an outwardly extending flange E at onesidewhich may form a tire-retaining flangeand an inwardly extendingflange E on the other side. The other tire-retaining flange may bebolted to the flange E in any known convenient manner.

A further modified form of rim is shownwooden felly may be insertedbetween a plain or flanged rim and the tire or a plain metal tread maybe employed. In some cases, if desired, the hub forging may be formed inthe first instance with hollowed radial bosses, and the constructionaldetails may be otherwise varied without departing from the invention.

We are aware that various forms of metal wheels have been heretoforeproposed, some having hubs and spokes cast integral and otherscomprising cast hubs with tubular spokes welded thereto, but all of suchprior forms of metal wheels have difiered in important particulars fromand have not possessed the advantages obtained by wheels made accordingto our invention, and as hereinbefore described. For example, by

the present invention, the inner ends of the spokes and the tubularbosses on the forged hub to which said spokes are butt-welded are of thesame thickness so that each spoke forms adirect continuation of the bosswith both the inner and outer surfaces of the two parts coinciding, Thisconstruction proposed;

W hat we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis z- 1. In a metal wheel for vehicles, the combination of a forged hubhaving tubular radial bosses thereon, tubular steel spokes butt-weldedto the outer ends of the bosses with the inner and outer walls of eachspoke coinciding with the corresponding walls of the boss, curvedlateral flanges at the outer ends of the spokes, and a rim secured tosaid flanges.

2. In a metal wheel for vehicles, the combination of a forged :hubhaving tubular radial bosses thereon, tubular steel spokes butt-weldedto the outer ends of the bosses with the inner and outer walls of eachspoke coinciding with the corresponding walls of the boss, and providedat their outer ends with curved lateral flanges, and a rim which isshrunk on to said curved flanges.

In a metal wheel for vehicles, the combination of a forged hub havingtubular radial bosses thereon, tubular drawn spokes butt-welded to theouter'ends of the bosses and formingdirect, smooth, continuations of theouter and inner surfaces of the bosses, tubular flanged membersbutt-welded to and forming extensions of said spokes, and a rim securedto the flanges of the last said members.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS CLARKSON. l/VILLIAM JOHN MORISON'.

Witnesses:

ALICE CLARE COPELAND, GERTRUDE MARY Bn'rrnnmen.

